Upload
marian-kelley
View
229
Download
3
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Rome?
The myth behind - Romulus and Remus Raised by a wolf then a sheppard Romulus kills Remus 753 B.C
City of Rome grew out of a number of settlements that existed around seven hills that were near the River Tiber
legend of Romulus and Remus gives the impression that Rome was created very quickly… the truth was very different
The Etruscans
First inhabitants of Northern Italy c. 750 BCE
Conquered Rome around 600 BCE
Skilled artisans, farmers and accomplished traders
In Rome, the Etruscans dug an enormous ditch (Great Sewer) to create a drained area named the Forum
contributed to the rise of Rome and culture
Etruscan Influence on RomAN Culture
artistic styles religious practices
and gods clothing Blood sports
Etruscan Monarchy
First Etruscan King was Romulus
Etruscans expanded power and took control over Romans
Last Etruscan King was Tarquin the Proud= expelled by a popular rebellion in 509 BCE
Romans did not want to be ruled by kings anymore
Paved way for Rome to create a Republic
Monarchy
Rome was first a monarchy According to tradition, early Rome was ruled by KINGS
elected by the people. The king's executive power was conferred by a POPULAR
ASSEMBLY made up of all arms-bearing citizens. The king turned for advice to a council of nobles, called
the SENATE. Each senator had lifelong tenure and the members of this
group and their families constituted the PATRICIAN class. The other class of Romans, the PLEBEIANS (commoners)
included small farmers, artisans, and many clients (dependents of patrician landowners). In return for a livelihood, the clients gave their patrician patrons political support in the ASSEMBLY
Monarchy to Republic..
In 509 B.C., according to tradition, the PATRICIANS expelled the last Etruscan king and established a REPUBLIC.
The power to rule was transferred to two new officials called CONSULS.
Elected annually from the patrician class, the consul exercised their power in the interests of that class.
Rise of the Plebeians?
Although the PATRICIANS controlled the government, they found themselves unable to exist without the plebeians.
The PLEBEIANS produced the FOOD and supplied the LABOR that kept the Roman economy going.
They also supplied the soldiers for the Roman MILITARY – especially important since Rome was in continual military conflict during the age of the Republic.
Plebeians plea… LOL
For more than two centuries following the establishment of the Republic, the plebeians struggled for political and social equality. Outright civil war was averted by the willingness of
the patricians to compromise. Much of the plebeians’ success in this struggle was
also due to their tactics of collective action and to their having organized a corporate group within the state.
The unofficial body was known as the Plebeian council. It was presided over by plebeian officials called
Tribunes, whose job was to safeguard the interests of the plebeians and to negotiate with the consuls and the Senate.
Success?
The advancement of the Plebeians during the early Republic took two main lines: the safeguarding of their Fundamental rights and the progressive enlargement of their share of Political Power
Continued
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
Because the consuls often interpreted Rome's unwritten customary law to suit Patrician interests, the plebeians demanded that it be written down. As a result, about 450 B.C., the law was
inscribed on twelve tablets of bronze and set up publicly in the Forum.
The law of the Twelve Tablets was the first landmark in the long history of Roman law.
The plebeians in time acquired other fundamental rights and safeguards: They secured the right to APPEAL A DEATH
SENTENCE imposed by a consul and to be retried before the popular assembly.
The tribunes gained a VETO POWER over any legislation or executive act that threatened the rights of the plebeians.
Marriage between patricians and plebeians, prohibited by the Law of the Twelve Tablets, was legalized.
The enslavement of citizens for DEBT was abolished
Accomplishments ?
Little by little, the plebeian class acquired more power in the functioning of government. In 367 B.C., ONE CONSULSHIP was reserved for the plebeians. Before the end of the century, they were eligible to hold other
important positions: PRAETOR (in charge of the law courts), QUAESTOR (treasurer), CENSOR (supervisor of public morals and state contracts).
Little by little, the plebeian class acquired more power in the functioning of government. In 367 B.C., ONE CONSULSHIP was reserved for the plebeians. Before the end of the century, they were eligible to hold other
important positions: PRAETOR (in charge of the law courts), QUAESTOR (treasurer), CENSOR (supervisor of public morals and state contracts).
Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus 133 BC Held the office of tribune
Founded to protect interest of commoners State owned land in Italy to be
distributed among the poor Use revenue from invasion of Asia Proposes idea to the assembly of people
instead of Senate He was murdered
Growing Power of Generals
vs
Gaius Marius157 – 86 B.C.E.
Lucius Cornelius Sulla
138 – 78 B.C.E.82 BC Dictator